South America

Argentina

Tango and cafés in Buenos Aires, vineyards beneath the Andes, striped northern mountains and a south that ends only at Tierra del Fuego.

Photo: Florian Delée / Unsplash

Argentina is a vast country that refuses to fit into a single picture. It runs from subtropical forest in the north-east to Tierra del Fuego in the far south, with the Andes following its western edge the whole way. In between lie the pampas, wine valleys, salt flats and steppe where the only sound is the wind.

Most journeys begin in Buenos Aires, a city that keeps late hours. Dinner starts after nine, newspapers are read slowly in the cafés, and on Sundays tango plays in the market and squares of San Telmo. From here it's an easy flight to Mendoza, where vineyards climb towards snow-covered peaks, or to the north-west, where the Quebrada de Humahuaca turns red, green and violet.

In the south waits Argentine Patagonia: the lakes and forests of Bariloche, the shores of Península Valdés, the trails of Fitz Roy and the glaciers of El Calafate. Distances here are measured in flying hours, so a well-shaped route lets you balance active days with slow evenings on an estancia or at a winery.

Why go

01
Buenos Aires
The leafy avenues of Recoleta and Palermo, the antique shops and milongas of San Telmo, colourful La Boka by the old port. Between museums and bookshops, leave time for historic cafés, parrillas and late dinners.
02
Mendoza and wine country
Around Mendoza and in the higher Uco Valley, vineyards grow at the foot of the Andes, and tastings often become long lunches. Further north, in Salta province, the Cafayate valley is known for its high-altitude white wines and the red-rock road through the Quebrada de las Conchas.
03
The Iguazú Falls
On the Argentine side, walkways lead above and below the falls, one of them ending right at the Devil's Throat, where water plunges with such force that the spray rises like smoke. Stay at least two nights and be among the first into the park in the morning.
04
Argentine Patagonia
In the north, Bariloche's Lake District with Lake Nahuel Huapi, alpine hills and chocolate shops. On the Atlantic coast lies Península Valdés; further south, El Chaltén and El Calafate; and at the very end, Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel.

Ways to travel

Ways to experience it

Ways to travel aren't separate paths — the best journeys often bring several together.

Culture & discovery
A tango lesson or a milonga in Buenos Aires, colonial Salta, Andean village markets and gaucho traditions — with local guides who talk about today's Argentina too.
Exceptional stays & escapes
Estancias on the pampas and in the northern valleys, stays at a winery with views of the Andes and lodges on the Patagonian lakes.
Adventure & active travel
Day hikes from El Chaltén, riding with gauchos, cycling between vineyards and kayaking on the lakes around Bariloche.
Wildlife & nature
On Península Valdés you'll often see elephant seals, sea lions and, roughly from June to December, southern right whales. In the north-east lie the Iberá wetlands. Encounters are never guaranteed.
Honeymoons & special journeys
A few days in wine country, dinner beneath the silhouette of the Andes, then lakes or glaciers in the south. A slow pace and plenty of space for two.
Tailor-made journeys
Domestic flights, transfers and stays arranged so the great distances pass smoothly and every place gets the time it deserves.

Argentina

Journey inspiration

Illustrative ideas for how a tailor-made journey could look. Not bookable packages: no prices, dates or inclusions are implied.

0112–15 days
City, wine and waterfalls
A few days in Buenos Aires, slow time at the wineries of Mendoza and the Uco Valley, then the Iguazú Falls from the Argentine side to finish.
Culture & discovery · Exceptional stays & escapes
Plan something like this
0210–13 days
Colours of the north-west
Salta, the road through the Quebrada de las Conchas to the vineyards of Cafayate, Purmamarca and the Quebrada de Humahuaca with the Hornocal range, with nights on estancias.
Culture & discovery · Exceptional stays & escapes
Plan something like this
0316–21 days
From the lakes to the end of the world
Bariloche's Lake District, the coast of Península Valdés, the trails of El Chaltén, the glaciers of El Calafate and a finale in Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel.
Adventure & active travel · Wildlife & nature
Plan something like this

Planning your journey

When to go

Argentina is so long that the right time depends on the region. Buenos Aires is often at its most pleasant in spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May), while summer is hot and humid. In Patagonia the main season generally runs from November to March. The north-west sees more rain in summer (December–March), so the drier months are roughly April to November. In Mendoza the grape harvest usually falls between February and April. Conditions vary from year to year.

How long to allow

For two or three regions we suggest at least 12–16 days; with Patagonia, three weeks is more comfortable. Domestic flights save a great deal of time, but plan to stay at least a few nights in each place.

Natural combinations

Argentina pairs naturally with Chile — over the Andean passes or in Patagonia — and with Brazil at the Iguazú Falls. The north-west links easily with Bolivia's Altiplano.

Areas to explore

Buenos Aires
Neighbourhoods, tango, cafés and late dinners.
Mendoza and the Uco Valley
Wineries at the foot of the Andes and high mountain roads.
Salta and Jujuy
Colonial towns, coloured mountains, the vineyards of Cafayate and salt flats.
Iguazú
Waterfalls in the subtropical forest on the Brazilian border.
Patagonia
Bariloche, Península Valdés, El Chaltén, El Calafate and Ushuaia.

General guidance only. Weather, seasons and wildlife are never guaranteed, and travel requirements are always worth checking before you go.

Sample journey